Reverend Michael Deasey will leave All Saints’ Cathedral this weekend after 10 years as its precentor or musical director.
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During that time Rev. Deasey has also served as the cathedral’s principal organist.
Prior to coming to Bathurst he served for 25 years as the organist at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
Rev. Deasey said Bathurst has the best pipe organ west of the Blue Mountains and he enjoys reminding people of that.
He said he loves its majestic tone, size and versatility. It is also inspirational for accompanying singing.
“It’s the most complicated instrument ever invented, but I am a better organist than I ever was a pianist,” Rev. Deasey said.
Rev. Deasey moved to Bathurst after the Bishop of the day, Richard Hurford, and Dean Andrew Sempell planted the idea.
He said it was a good move because he has loved Bathurst, its people and its lifestyle.
He has also enjoyed getting to know the other ministers in Bathurst through the Bathurst Ministers’ Association.
Rev. Deasey has also gained a great deal of pleasure from offering pastoral care.
“It was a great privilege dealing with bereaved families when playing for funerals,” he said.
“My mission here was to make people feel welcome when they come into the church.”
He has also loved directing the cathedral choir.
One of the related highlights was the opportunity to lead the choir on a tour of England in 2014. During the tour the choir had the opportunity to sing at Exeter and Lichfield cathedrals.
The All Saints’ Cathedral Choir has a core membership of 16 which swells to 24 for special occasions.
“One of the nicest things is that people can come and sing in the choir even though they might live far away,” Rev. Deasey said.
He said choristers come from the Blue Mountains, Wellington, Blayney, Orange and Sydney to sing with the All Saints’ Cathedral choir.
Rev. Deasey’s wife Antonia divides her time between Sydney and Bathurst. One of their daughters and her family live in Chicago, their son lives in London and another daughter is living in Sydney. Rev. Deasey will spend two months in England and America visiting family before taking up a part-time position as assistant priest at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Burwood.
Rev. Deasey will preach for the final time at the Sunday morning services at 8.30am and 10am. He will be playing the organ once more at the Advent Carol Service from 4.30pm.
